Article stacking machine



Nov. 5, 1957 J. o. DAYVAULT, sR 2,812,073

ARTICLE sTAcKING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1955 v s sheets-sheet 1 es f ' [50 ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 5, 1957 J. o. DAYVAULT, SR

ARTICLE STACKING MACHINE F11ed May 19, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

doll/v O AYVA t/LLSQ A w1 @J ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 5, 1957 J. o. DAYVALT, SR 2,812,078

ARTICLE STACKING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR, dol/N O AwA//LESQ ATTORNEYS Nov. 5, 1957 J. O. DAYVAULT, SR 2,812,078

ARTICLE STACKING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1955 5 sheets-sheet 4 T 57-40 MQ @$555223 l, UVHG' BY m4 M f E... :S53 I ATTORNEYS NOV- 5, 1957 J. o. DAYVAULT, SR

ARTICLE sTAcKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 19, 1955 mwN .vf BGN mom www INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS United, States Patent() ARTICLE STACKING MACHlNE John O. Dayvault, Sr., Kannapolis, N. C.

Application May 19, 1955, Serial No. 509,482

claims. (Ci. 2146) This invention relates to article stacking devices and, more especially, to a machine for and method of automatically stacking drop-wires, such as are used in the electrical stop motions of looms, preparatory to the dropwires being fed to an automatic warp drawing machine.

Drop-wires of the character described each has a longitudinally extending slot therein through which electrode bars of the electrical stop motion of a loom are passed and the inner end of each slot terminates in communication with a relatively large circular hole through which a stacking rod extends for supporting and guiding the drop-wires as a warp drawing shaft is threaded through them. Each of the drop-wires also has a circular hole or opening therein which maybe termed as a warp drawing shaft hole, which is spaced a given distance from the stacking rod hole and some of the drop-wires, which may be termed as primary drop-wires, are each provided with a key slot which communicates with a drawing machine shaft hole and extends toward the first-named slot or toward the stacking rod hole. Each of the dropwires also has a warp receiving hole intermediate the longitudinally extending slot and warp drawing shaft hole through which warp yarns are passed on a warp drawing machine.

Others of the drop-wires, which may be termed as secondary drop-wires, also each has a key slot therein which communicates with the drawing machine shaft hole and extends away from the first-named slot or stacking rod hole when the drawing machine shaft with dropwires mounted thereon is positioned in the warp drawing machine. The drawing machine shaft, which has a relatively short spirally formed key on one end is rotated in the course of which the key thereon successively engages the key slots in the drop-wires for feeding the same, one at a time, off the drawing machine shaft to position each successive drop-wire for passing a warp yarn or warp yarns therethrough. ln order to insure that only one drop-wire is fed onto the drawing machine shaft at a time, the key slots in the drop-wires must be arranged in alternation; that is, alternate drop-wires are primary drop-wires and the intervening drop-wires are secondary drop-wires, so that alternate key slots extend in one direction and the intervening key slots extend in the opposite direction.

Heretofore, the positioning of the primary and secondary drop-wires in alternation on the stacking rod has been a manual operation and, thus, quite time consuming and resultantly expensive.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a machine having primary and secondary magazines thereon in which stacks of respective primary and secondary drop-wires are placed and also having means for supporting a stacking rod and wherein means are provided for alternately feeding the drop-wires from the primary and secondary magazines onto said stacking rod.

It is another object of this invention to provide a machine of the character described wherein the magazines are positioned in horizontally spaced substantially parallel relationship and wherein the means for supporting the stacking rod maintains the upper end of the stacking rod, in a position adjacent the level of the lower ends of the magazines. Primary and secondary feeding device are mounted for reciprocation beneath the respective primary and secondary magazines and each of the feeding devices has a shallow depression in its upper leading edge forming a shoulder thereon, which shoulder engages the lowermost drop-wire in the corresponding magazine upon each active or inward stroke thereof, thereby transferring the corresponding lowermost dropwire inwardly to position the stacking guide rod hole in registration with the upper end `of said stacking rod. Thus, upon the subsequent inactive stroke of thel corresponding feeding device, the corresponding drop-wire falls onto the stacking rod. The primary and secondary feeding devices operate in alternation thus insuring that the primary and secondary drop-wires are stacked on the stacking rod in alternation.

It is a further object of the invention to alternately provide a novel method of alternately stacking primary and secondary substantially llat articles or drop-wires on an elongated stacking rod or member.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved drop-wire stacking machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the drop-wire stacking machine looking at the right-hand side of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the Vstructure shown in Figure l, omitting the drop-wires from Vthe magazine; n

Figure 4 is an enlarged View of the left-hand portion of Figure 3 showing drop-wires positioned in the magazines;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 5 5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary Vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 in Figure 4, but showing the inner end of the active feeding device in elevation;

' Figure 7 is an enlarged partially exploded isometric view looking in the general direction of the arrow 7 in Figure 3, but omitting the magazines;

Figure 8 is an isometric view of one of the primary and one of the secondary drop-wires and a stacking rod showing their relationship to the feed shaft of a warp drawing machine;

Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view, partially in section, looking down substantially along line 9 9 in Figure l;

Figure l0 is an enlarged plan View, partially in section taken substantially along line lll- 10 in Figure 1;

Figure ll is an enlarged fragmentary detail taken substantially along line 11-11 in Figure l() showing a means for adjustably and clampingly supporting the lower end of the stacking rod;

Figure l2 is a schematic illustration of the electrical and fluid pressure circuits for the machine.

Referring more specilically to the drawings, the lnumerals 20, 20 broadly designate respective primary and secondary magazines which are supported on a platform or base broadly designated at 21, said base 21 being divided into two sections or halves 22, 23 by a dovetailed slot 24 which extends from one side to the other of said base 21. Primary and secondary article feeding or drop-wire feeding devices, broadly designated at 25, 25', are mounted for reciprocation transversely of the magazines 20, 20 in the slot 24. The magazines 20, 20 and feeding devices 25, 25' will be later describedin detail.

The magazines 20, 20.' are adapted to contain stacks of primary and secondary elongated substantially flat articles or drop-wires respectively broadly designated at 26, 26'. The drop-wires 26, 26 are of the usual type through which warp yarns are threaded automatically on a warp drawing machine in preparing the warp for use on a loom. Since the structure of the conventional dropwires 26, 26 is pertinent to the operation of the improved drop-wire stacking machine, a detailed description of the drop-wires 26, 26 will now be given.

The warp drawing machine may be of a type such as is manufactured by Barber-Colman Company, Rockford, Illinois, and is known as model SH Warp Drawing Machine and which is disclosed in a Barber-Colman catalogue No. F-2442-2 l-M 9-52.

Referring to Figure 8, a pair of primary and secondary drop-wires l26, 26 is shown, which drop-wires are shown in exploded relationship `and are also shown in association with a drop-wire feed shaft 27, such as used on an automatic warp `drawing machine of the character described. Only the feed end or operating end of the warp drawing machine feed shaft 27 is shown and, also, a portion of one end of an elongated drop-wire stacking rod or member 30 is shown spaced above the warp drawing machine feed shaft 27. The stacking rod 30 is provided with a ange or key 31 to maintain the drop-wires 26 and 26' in proper alinement to be moved onto electrode bars of a stop motion of a loom from which the dropwires are presented to the feed shaft 27. The drop-,wire supporting shaft or stacking rod 30 is shown more in detail in Figures l, 2, 5, 6, 9, l() and 11.

The drop-wires 26, 26l have respective longitudinally extending electrode receiving slots 35, 35 therein which extend from adjacent pointed or head ends of the dropwires to medial portions of the drop-wires and the inner ends of the slots 35, 35 communicate with respective substantially circular guide rod or stacking rod receiving holes 36, 36 which are of substantially greater diameter than the Width of the slots 35, 35. It should be noted that the stacking rod receiving hole 36 is spaced further from the head end or pointed end of the drop-wire 26` than is the hole 36' in the drop-wire 26 shown in Figure 8. The drop-wires 26, 26 have respective warp yarn eyes or warp receiving holes 37, 37 therein which are usually spaced equal distances from said head or pointed ends of the respective drop-wires 26, 26'.

The drop-wires 26, 26 also have respective relatively small substantially circular feed shaft receiving holes 40, 40 therein which are adapted to be penetrated by the warp drawing machine shaft 27 and these feed shaft receiving holes 40, 40 are usually spaced equidistant from the stacking rod receiving holes 36, 36. Of course, it is apparent, in Figure 8, that the hole 40 in each drop-wire 26 is spaced further from the pointed or head end of the corresponding drop-wire 26 than the hole 40 is spaced from the head or pointed end of the drop wire 26. Accordingly, Whenever a plurality of drop-wires 26, 26 are penetrated by a stacking rod 30, it is apparent that the holes 40, 40' in the respective drop wire 26, 26' are disposed in axial alinement. However, there are other types of drop-wires in which the holes, such as 40, 40 in the drop-wires 26, 26 may be spaced relatively varying distances from the stacking rod receiving holes, such as holes 36, 36.

Now, it will be noted that each of the primary dropwires 26 is provided with a keyhole slot 41, which is of less width than the hole 40 and whichcommunicates with the hole 40 and extends outwardly therefrom away from the head end `oraway from the stacking rod hole 36 and the slot 3S. On the other hand, each of the secondary drop-wires 26 is provided with a keyhole slot 41' which communicates with the hole 40' but extends inwardly therefrom toward the head end of each drop-wire 26 or toward the stacking rod receiving hole 36 and the slot 35.

Now, it will be observed in Figure 8 that the operating 4 end of the feed shaft 27 has a spirally formed key 42 thereon and, in order to successively withdraw drop-wires 26, 26', one at a time, from the feed shaft 27, the primary and secondary drop-wires 26, 26' must be arranged in alternation so the key slots 41, 41 will be alternately engaged by the key 42 on the shaft 27.

Accordingly, since the stacking rod receiving holes 36 in drop-wires 26 are disposed a greater distance from the head end of the drop-wires 26 than the stacking rod receiving holes 36' are spaced from the head end of the drop-wire 26', it will be observed in Figures 3 and 4 that the magazines 20, 20 are disposed iu staggered relationship so the stacking rod receiving holes 36 in the drop-wires 26 stacked in the magazine 20 are disposed in alinement with the holes 36 in the drop-wires 26 positioned in the magazine 20.

Since both of the magazines 20, 20 are identical, only the left-hand magazine in Figures 3 and 4 will be described in detail and like parts associated with the righthand magazine 20 will bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added. The magazine 20 comprises front and rear upright channel members 45, 46 which are substantially U-shaped in plan and whose inner or proximal edges are spaced from each other suciently to loosely receive the corresponding drop-wires therebetween. The lower ends of the channel members 45, 46 are secured to a common drop-wire guide or bracket 50 whose opposite ends are suitably secured, as by screws 51, to the upper surfaces of the sections 22, 23 of the machine base or platform 21. The bracket 50 has a longitudinally and vertically extending slot 52 therein with which the lower ends of the channel members 45, 46 communicate and which slot 52 is substantially the same width and length as the distance between the side portions of the channel members 4S, 46 and the distance between the proximal surfaces of the distal portions of lthe channel members 45, 46. Thus, any of the drop-wires positioned in the guides or channel members 45, 46 will fall` into the groove or slot 52 formed in the bracket or magazine base 50 so the endmost portions of the lowermost of the drop-wires will rest upon the proximal portions of the base sections 22, 23 and their medial portions will span the slot 24 defined between the sections 22, 23.

It will be observed in Figures 5 and 6 that the lower edge of the magazine base or bracket 50 is cut away to forma passageway 53 therebeneath which is at least as long as, and communicates with, the vertically extending slot 52 and which is of a depth slightly greater than the thickness of each drop-wire 26, but less than twice the thickness of each drop-wire 26.

Disposed between the magazines 2i), 20 is a pair of spaced hold-down members or friction blocks 55, 56 which are disposed closely adjacent opposite sides of the drop-wire feeding devices 25, 25 and span respective` front and rear longitudinally extending slots or passageways 60, 61 formed in proximal central portions of the sections 22, 23 of the base 21 (Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7). It will be noted that the distal walls of the slots 60, 61 are spaced at least as far apart as are the distal walls of the slots 52, 52 in the magazine bases 50, 50 so as to accommodate each successive drop-wire directed thereto.

The outer portions of the pressure blocks or friction vblocks 55, 56 rest upon the respective base sections 22, 23 and are resiliently urged thereagainst, as by respective compression springs 62, 63, there being two of the springs 63 and springs 62, in this instance. It will be observed in Figures 5 and 6 that the lower ends of the springs 62, 63 bear against the upper surfaces of the respective friction blocks 5S, 56 and their upper ends are engaged by the lower ends of adjustable abutments or adjustment screws 65, 66, respectively. The adjustment screws 65,v

66 penetrate respective substantially Z-shaped brackets 67, 68 `and are adjustably secured therein by respective lock nuts 71, 72. The brackets 67, 68 extend outwardly relative to each other (Figures 4 and 6) and then down- Wardly and again outwardly and are suitably secured to the upper surfaces of respective base sections 22, 23, as by screws 73.

The lower distal corners of each of the pressure blocks or friction blocks 55, 56 are rounded slightly as best shown in Figure and the central portion of the lower edge of each of the blocks 55, 56 is provided with a shallow recess 75 therein which is preferably of somewhat greater width than the width of each of the drop-wires 26, 26'.

The feeding devices 25, 25' comprise respective guide blocks or body members 80, 80 which are guided for longitudinal sliding movement in the slot 24 defined between the base sections 22, 23. The rear base section 23 is suitably secured to a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending frame members 81, 81' and the front base section 22 is adjustably secured to the frame members 81, 81' in order that it may be accurately positioned in spaced relation to the rear base section 23 to accommodate the body members 80, 80' of the respective drop-wire feeding devices 25, 25'. To this end, the frame members 81, 81' have respective longitudinally extending slots 83, 83' therein which are loosely penetrated by headed screws 84, 84 whose upper ends are threaded into the front base section 23 (Figure 3). The front surface or edge of the f-ront base section 22 is engaged by the rear end of a pair of adjustment screws 85 which are threaded through blocks 86 fixed to the frame members 81, 81'. The adjustment screws 85 are secured in adjusted position by lock nuts 87.

It will be observed in Figures 5 and 6 that the body members 80, 80' of the respective drop-wire feeding devices 25, 25' are of substantially the same thickness as the base 21 and the proximal or inner portions ofthe body members 80, 80 are notched or recessed for the reception of respective feeding jaws 90, 90 whose distal edges are substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the respective body members 80, 80 and whose upper surfaces taper inwardly and upwardly at a relatively slight angle so medial portions thereof terminate on a level above the lbase 21 a distance less than the thickness of a drop-wire 26 or 26'.

The proximal upper portions of the feeding jaws 90, 90' are provided with respective notches or recesses forming shoulders 91, 91' on the jaws 90, 90 (Figures 5, 6 and 7). When either of the feeding devices 25, 25 is in inactiveY or withdrawn position, such as that in which the feeding device 25 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, it will be noted that the corresponding shoulder 91 is disposed outwardly of the vertical plane of the corresponding secondary drop-wires 26' positioned in the magazine 56'. Thus the lowermost of the drop-wires 26' then rests upon the seat at the inner end of the jaw 90 so that, with the subsequent active or inward stroke of the secondary feeding device 25', the lowermost of the drop-wires 26 is moved inwardly through the slot 53' as the shoulder 91 moves in engagement therewith so the corresponding drop-wire 26' is positioned substantially half-way between the magazines 20, and in alinement with the discharge slots 60, 61 in the base sections 22, 23. Of course, as the secondary feeding device moves in an active stroke, the primary feeding device 25 moves outwardly in an inactive stroke preparatory to, thereafter, moving the lowermost of the primary drop-wires 26 in magazine 20 inwardly into alinement with the discharge slots 60, 61.

In the course of inward movement of each successive drop-wire 26 or 26', the rounded lower edges of the friction blocks 55, 56 cause the drop-wire to pass beneath the friction blocks 55, 56 which then maintain the dropwire against the upper surface of the base 21 until it moves into alinement with the grooves 75 in the lower edges of the friction blocks 55, 56 and in alinement with the discharge slots 60, 61. The means for imparting reciprocatory movement to thefeeding devices 25, 25 will be presently described'.

Now, itwill be noted that at the limit of their inward strokes,` the feeding devices 25, 25' successively position corresponding drop-wires 26, 26 in alinement with the stacking rod 30, the rounded upper end of the stacking rod 30 projecting upwardly slightly above the level of the base 21 and the seats of the feeding jaws 90, 90 as shownin Figure 5. Thus,-as each successive drop-wire 26 or 26' is moved inwardly, its inner edge `engages and raised upwardly by the rounded upper end of the stacking rod 3i) and this, combined with the fact that portions of the corresponding drop-wire are then positioned in the grooves 75 in the lower surfaces of the friction blocks 55, 56 insures that the corresponding drop-wire will then remain in the position to which it is moved in the course of the active stroke of the corresponding feeding device as the corresponding feeding device subsequently moves in anfinactive stroke. It is apparent that the'upper end of the stacking rod 30 is disposed in alinement with the holes 36, 36 and successively enters these holes as dropwires ,26, 26 arealternately moved inwardly to stacking position.

The drop-wires 26, 26' extend at a slight angle of about four degrees relative to the shoulders 91, 91 on the jaws 90, 91)'l of the respective feeding devices 25, 25 so that each successive drop wire initially tends to move in a somewhat circular path in the course of its inward movement to stacking position so the drop-wire immediately thereabove in the corresponding magazine will not become entangled with the drop-wire which is being ejected from the magazine by the feeding device. This entanglement of adjacent drop-wires is due to the fact that drop-wires are made from a relatively thin exible metal and the portions thereof adjacent each side of the respective slots 35, 35 (Figure 8) will, at times, bend slightly and thereby become entangled with corresponding portions on adjacent drop-wires.

lt will be noted that the proximal portions of the jaws 9d, 91)' of the feeding devices 25, 25' and the lower proximal portions of the body members 80, Sil are pro- Y vided with respective notches or slots 93, 93 which are alined with the stacking rod holes 36, 36' in the dropwires 26, 26' positioned in the respective magazines 2i), 20. These notches 93, 93' are sufficiently large to accommodate the upper portion of the stacking-rod 3l) as the corresponding feeding devices 25, 25' approach the end of each active stroke thereof. The means for supporting the stacking rod 30 in the upright position shown in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 will be later described.

In order to impart reciprocatory movement to the feeding devices 25, 25', in unison, it will be observed in Figures 5, 6 and 7 that the body members 80, 80 of the feeding devices 25, 25 are suitably secured, as by screws 95, to respective arms 96, 96 which are shown in Figure 7 as being parts of a substantially rectangular yoke member, broadly designated at 97, provided with a substantially rectangular opening 160 therein. The rear p0rtion of yoke 97 is secured to the upper surface of a spacer member 161 which is disposed between the forwardly and rearwardly extending frame members 81, Si and which is, in turn, secured to the upper surface of a bar 102 by means of screws 163.

It will be noted that the bar 102 (Figure 5) has a pair of adjustment slots 104 therein which are loosely penetrated by the corresponding screws 103 and the screws 103 also loosely penetrate the spacer 101 and are threaded into the yoke member 97. The bar 102 is mounted for substantially horizontal sliding movement in a pair of guide blocks 165, 105 (Figures 2, 5, 6 and 7) suitably `secured to the lower surfaces of the respective frame members 81, 81'.

lIt will be observed in Figures 1, 2 and 3 that the bar 102 extends outwardly, from beneath the horizontally disposed frame member 81', and is pivotally connected Yto `one end of a connecting rod or link 106 .whose Vother end is pivotally connected to the outerface or rear face of a disk or y wheel 107 in eccentric relation'to the axis of the fly wheel 107. Fly wheel 107 is fixed on the rear end of a crank shaft 110 journaled in bearing blocks `111 suitably secured to the upper surface of an upper side deck` 112.

The frame members 81, 81 are parts of a `main framepbroadly designated at 115,` which also includes front upright frame members or legs 116, 116 and rear uprightframe members'117, 117. Opposite ends of the upper horizontal frame members 81, 81 are suitably secured to the respective pairs of legs 116, 117 and 116', 117.` The upper side deck 112 is fixed on a pair of arms 120, 120. whichare, in turn, fixed to the upper portions of respective legs 116', 117.

The shaft 110 is coupled to a shaft 121 by means of a suitable a electrically operable combination clutch and brake mechanism generally designated at 122`which is normally energizedto engage and drive shaft 110. There are various types of electrically operable clutch mechanisms which may be used to serve the purpose of the clutch mechanism 122, in some of which the shaft 121 maybe integral with shaft 110 and in others of which the shaft 121 may be separate from the shaft 110. One type of clutch mechanism which may be used for this purpose is manufactured by and disclosed in a booklet or catalogue distributed by Warner Brake and Clutch Company, Beloit, Wisconsin, the booklet being entitled Electric Motion Control and dated March 1953. The clutch mechanism is shown on page 2 of said booklet and is identified as a Stationary Field Warner Electric Clutch and Clutch-Coupling; Since there are various types of electrically operable clutch mech-anisms which are well known in the art, a detailed illustration and description of the electrically operable clutch mechanism is deemed unnecessary. The clutch mechanism 122 is interposed in an electrical circuit (Figure 12) to be later described.

The front end of shaft 121 has ya hand wheel 130 and ya sprocket wheel 131 fixed thereon. The sprocket wheel 131 is engaged by an endless belt or sprocket chain 132 which also engages a sprocket wheel 133. The sprocket wheel 133 is fixed on the front end of a horizontally disposed drive shaft 134 (Figures l, 2 and 9) in whose front end is a bearing block 135 and whose rear end is journaled in a housing of a gear reduction unit generally designated at 136. The gear reduction unit 136 has suitable gearing therein (not shown) which imparts continuous rotation to the drive shaft 134 from a motor shaft 140 extending from an electric motor 141.

The bearing block 135, gear reduction unit 136 and motor 141 are supported on a lower side deck or lower yauxiliary platform 142 suitably secured to the upper horizontal portions of front and rear inverted substantially L-shaped frame members or brackets 143, 144 whose lower ends are fixed to angle brackets or foot members 143', 144' which rest upon the surface or floor F on which the lower ends of the legs 116, 116', 117, 117 rest. The inner ends of the upper horizontal portions of the frame members or brackets 143, 144 are suitably secured to the respective legs 116', 117.

A worm 145 fixed on the drive shaft 134 (Figures 2 and 9) meshes with a worm gear 146 fixed on a vertically disposed switch control cam shaft 147. The cam shaft 147 is journaled at its upper and lower ends in bearing members 150, 151 which are shown in the form of plates fixed to the proximal surfaces of the upper and lower side decks 112, 142. The upper and lower ends of a brace bar or switch supporting bar 152 are suitably secured to the bearing members 150, 151.

It will be observed in Figures 2 and 9 that the switch supporting bar 152 extends in spaced substantially parallel relation to the vertically disposed cam shaft 147 and supports the housing of a clutch control switch 153 and the housing of upper and lower stacking rod clamping cylinder control'switches 154, 155. The switches`154, 155.(Figure 12) are normally openand the switch 153 is normally closed. However, the switch .153. may be eitherV normally closed ornormally open depending: upon the type pf clutch mechanism controlled tliereby..y The type of clutch mechanism above-described is vofthe type whichis engaged when energized and, accordingly, the switch 153 is shown as being a `normally closed switch. The electrical circuit associated with the switches .153, 154, 155 will be later described.

Cams 156, 157, 158 fixed onthecam s haft147 are disposed adjacent the respective switches ,153, 154, 155.' Each of the cams 156, 157, 158 has an outwardly pro-v jecting lobe 160 thereon, which may be Lintegral therewith. However, in this instance, the` lobes 160 are shown as being adjustably secured to the corresponding cams 156, 157 and 158 `and the cams are shown as being circular. The lobes 160 on the `cams 156, 157, 158 are adapted to successively engage the plungers of the re-V spective switches 153, 154, 155 to open switch 153 and close switches 154, 155 in rapid succession for purposes to be more fully described hereinafter.

Stacking rod supporting and clamping means The stacking rod 30 may be of any desired construction. As heretofore stated, the stacking rod 30 is provided with an elongated key 31 which extends substantially throughout the length of the stacking rod 3f). It will be observed in Figure 6 that the upper end of the key 31 is tapered to infinity and terminates in spaced relation to the rounded upper end of the stacking rod 30,

The lower end of the stacking rod 30 (Figures l0 and ll) has an elongated rectangular or square portion 32 thereon which is supported between a transverse frame member and a clamping bar 166, the proximal central portions of the frame member 165 and the clamping bar 166 being suitably notched to conform to the shape of the rectangular or square portion 32 of the stacking rod 30. The clamping bar 166is provided with a pair of vertically extending'adjustment slots 167 in the lower portion thereof (Figure l) which are penetrated by screws 170 which `also penetrate the transverse frame member 165. The outer ends of the screws 170 are provided with nuts 171 thereon, which are preferably in the form of wing nuts, for clampingly securing the square lower end portion of the stacking rod 30 against the bar 165. Opposite ends of the transverse bar or frame member 165 are suitably secured to lower longitudinally extending frame `members 172, 172. Opposite ends of the lower longitudinal frame members 172, 172' are suitably secured to the lower portions of the respective legs 116, 117 and 116', 117.

The lower edge of the clamping plate 166 normally rests upon a flange -or a support bar 173 (Figures 1, 2 and l1) suitably secured to or integral with the lower edge of the transverse frame member 165. An adjustment screw 174 is threaded through the support bar 173 and is maintained in adjusted position by a lock nut 175. It will be observed in Figure ll that the upper end of the adjustment screw 174 engages the lower end of the square portion 32 of the `stacking rod 30 to insure that the upper end of the stacking rod 30 projects a relatively slight distance above the level of the main base or platform 21 (Figure 5).

Upper and lower sets of stacking rod clamping devices are provided, each set including two relatively movable clamping devices. The two upper clamping devices are broadly designated at 180, a (Figures 9 and l2) and the two lower sets of clamping devices are broadly designated at 180b, 180e. Since all of the stacking rod clamp ing devices are substantially the same, only the clamping device 180 will be `described in detail and like reference characters with the letters a, b, and c, aflixed thereto will apply to like parts associated with the respective clamping devices 180a, 180b, 180e.

Theclamping device 180 comprises an elongated clamp-` ing jaw, bar or block 185 which is xed on one end of a plunger or piston rod 186 and to opposite end portions of which guide rods 187, 188 are connected. The piston rod or plunger 186 slidably penetrates the head end of a cylinder 191 Whose outer end is closed by a base plate 192. The base plate 192 is slidably penetrated by the guide Vrods 187, 188 and the outer ends of the guide rods 187, 188 each has a stop or abutment 193 thereon which is shown in the form of a nut threaded thereon in order to accurately determine the length of the stroke of the piston rod or plunger 186.

The inner central portion of each'of the clamping bars or heads 185, 185g, 185k', 185e each has a substantially semi-circular groove 184 therein for engaging the rod 30 when the corresponding clamping head or bar is in operative or clamping position. It will be observed in Figure 9 that, when the adjacent clamping heads 185, 185a occupy operative or clamping position, the flat proximal surfaces thereof clampingly engage opposite sides of the key 31 on the rod 30 to thereby insurethat the key 31 is properly alined with theI slots 35, 35 as successive drop-wires are positioned on the stacking rod 30 in the manner heretofore described. As each successive drop-wire is positioned on the stacking rod 30, it falls downwardly and a relatively small stack of drop-wires is ultimately supported by the upper pair of clamping jaws 185, 185g. Upon a predetermined number of drop-wires being stacked on the upper isetof clamping jaws 185, 185a, the upper clamping jaws 185, 185a move -apart from each other so the stack is then permitted to fall onto the then closed lower clamping jaws`185b, 185C.

Thereafter, the upper clamping jaws 185, 185a return to active position, after which the lower set of clamping jaws 18517, 185e move apart from each other to permit the stack previously supported thereby to move down the stacking rod 30 to come to rest upon the frame member 165 and 4clamping block 166 (Figures l, 10 and 1 1) or upon any drop-,wires previously stacked on the rod 30 below the level ofthe lower set of clamping devices 1801:, 180C.

The cylinders 191, 191b are suitably secured to the respective upper and lower surfaces of a longitudinal intermediate frame member 196 ycarried by and spanning the distance between the front and rear legs 116, 117 and the Ycylinders 19141, 191CV are suitably secured to the respective upper and lower surfaces of a longitudinal intermediate frame member 196 spanning the distance between'v and being carried bythe front and rear legs 116', 117.

Electrical and fluid pressure circuits Referring to Figure l2, the numerals 201, 203 designate lead wires vor conductors adapted to be connected at corresponding ends to a suitable source of electrical current. The other end of the conductor 201 is connected to one side of the electric clutch mechanism 122 and the other end of the conduct-or or wire 203 leads to one side of a three-pole, single-throw, manually operable switch 204. The switch` 204 is provided with contact bars or bus bars a, b, c whi-ch, at times, establish contact between wire 203 and wires r conductors 205, 206 and 208, respectively. The conductor 205 leads from the contact bar a of the switch 204 to one side of the switch 153. The wires 206 and 208 lead from the contact bars b, c of the switch '204 to medial portions of conductors 211, 212 respectively.

A conductor 207 connects one side of the switch 154 to the conductor 203 and a wire 209 connects a corresponding yside of the switch 155 to the wire 207.

It should be noted that, when the switch'204 is moved in one` direction, the circuit is closed between the wire 203 and the two wires 206, 208, while it is opened between the wire 203 and the wire 205. On the other hand, when the switch 204 is moved in the other direction, the circuitl is'close'd between wires 203, 205 and is broken between wire 203 and the wires 206, 208.

' The other sides of the switches 154, 155 have the respective Wires or conductors 211, 212 leading therefrom to the coils of an electrically operable four-way valve assembly 213 and a similar electrically operable fourway valve assembly 214, respectively. The other side of the switch 153 and the electrically operable clutch mechanism 122 have opposite ends of a wire 210 connected thereto and the other side of the coils of the electrically operable valve assemblies 213, 214 have respective wires or conductors 215, 216 leading therefrom, the other end of the wire 215 being connected to a medial portion of the wire 201 and the other end of the wire 216 being connected to a medial portion of the Wire 215.

The conductors 201, 203 also have one end of respective wires 202, 234 leading therefrom. The other end of the wire 202 connects to one side of a master switch 200 to the other side of which one end of a wire 233 is connected. The other ends of the wires 233, 234 connect to opposite sides of the electric motor 141.

There are various types of electrically operable fourway valve mechanisms which may be used and it is believed suicient to state that, when the valve mechanisms 213, 214 are energized, compressed air, which is the embodiment of the fluid pressure in this instance, ows from respective pipes or conduits 220, 221, into and through respective pipes or conduits 222, 223. On the other hand, when the coils of the electrically operable or electrically controlled Valve assemblies 213, 214 are de-energized, compressed air ows from the pipes or conduits 220, 221 into and through respective pipes or conduits 224, 225.

It will be noted that the conduit 222 is connected by branch conduits 226, 22651, to the inner or head ends of the respective cylinders 191, 191g and the conduit 223 is' connected, by means of branch conduits or pipes 226i), 226C, to the inner or head ends of the respective cylinders 191i), 191C. The conduit 224 is connected, by means of branch conduits 227, 22a, to the outer ends of the respective cylinders 191, 19M and the conduit 225 is connected, by branch conduits 2271;, 227C, to the outer ends of the respective cylinders 18017, 180e.

The pipe or conduit 221 is connected to a medial por tion of conduit 220 and the conduit 220 also has a suitable pressure indicator 230 and a pressure regulator valve 231 interposed therein, the other end of the conduit 220 being connected to a suitable source of compressed air, not shown. It is apparent that when compressed air flows from the conduit 220 into and through conduit 222, it is exhausted from the conduit 224 through the conventional valve mechanism and the reverse is true when compressed air flows from conduit 220 through conduit 224 and is exhausted through conduit 222. Also, it is apparent that, when compressed air flows from the conduit 221 through conduit 223, it is exhausted through conduit 225 and through the conventional valve mechanism and, on the other hand, when compressed air flows from conduit 221 through conduit 225, it is exhausted through conduit 223.

Method of Operation As heretofore stated, an operator selects primary dropwires 26 from a suitable container or box and positions them in the primary magazine 20 and the operator selects secondary drop-wires 26 from another container or box and positions them in the secondary magazine 20 as shown in Figure 4. The master switch 200 is then closed and the switch 204 is positioned as shown in Figure l2 so as to break the circuit between wire 203 and wires 206, 208 and to close the circuit between wires 203 and 205.

At the start of each cycle in the operation of the machine, it is to be assumed that the lobes on the cams 156, 157, 158 (Figure l2) will have just moved past the plungers on therespective switches 153, 154, 155. Thus,

the circuit is completed to the clutch mechanism 122 and rmI1 broken to the coils of the valve assembly213, 21'4..so`the` drive shaft 134 imparts rotation to the crank shaft .110 through `interveningconnections since 'the clutch mechanism `122 is then engaged or energized. Forpurposes of description, it may be `assumed that the crank shaft 110 is driven to rotate one-hundred-tifteenrevolutions for each revolution the cam shaft 147 is driven.` f

It is apparent that, with each revolution of the crank shaft 110, the primary feeding device 25 moves from left to right to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5 to transfer the then lowermost primary drop-wire 26 from the primary magazine onto the post or stacking rod 30 in the manner heretofore described.` During movement of the left-hand or primary feeding device from left to right in Figures 4 and 5, `the right-hand or secondary feeding device 25 also moves from'left to right to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5 to permit thelowermost'secondary drop-wire 26 in the magazine 20 to fall upon the seat defined by the shoulder 91. i r

During this same revolution of the shaft 110, the primary and secondary feeding devices 25,25 then move from right to left in Figures 4 and 5, in the course of which the jaw 90 of the primary feeding device 25 withdraws from the drop-wise 26 then positioned upon the post or stacking rod 30 and permits the primary dropwire 26 then positioned on the post to fall downwardly upon the jaws 185, 185a of the respective stacking rod clamping devices 180, 180a. It is apparent that the jaw 90' ofA the secondary feeding device 25 transfers the lowermost drop-wire 26 from the secondary magazine 20 to the post or stacking rod 30 in the manner heretofore described to complete a cycle in rotation of the crank shaft 110. It is thus seen that alternate drop-wires thus positioned `on the post 30 are primary drop-wires 26 and the intervening drop-wires are the secondary drop-wires 26. Thus, with one-hundred-ifteen revolutions of the shaft 110, tWo-hundred-thirty drop-wires are stacked on the tirst or upper pair of stacking rod gripping jaws 185, rasa. t

The lobes 160 on the cams 156, 157, 158 then succesy sively engage the plungers of the switches 153, 154, 155

to start a sequence of operations, preferably at intervals of approximately one-half a second as follows:

The lobe 160 on the clutch control cam 156 engages the switch plunger and opens switch 153, thus breaking the circuit to the clutch mechanism 122 which causes the clutch mechanism 122 to be tie-energized or disengaged to momentarily stop rotation of the crank shaft 110. The electric motor 141 remains energized and continues to impart rotation to the drive shaft 134, the cam shaft 147. and intervening connections between the drive shaft 134 and the clutch mechanism 122.`

The lobe 160 on the upper clamping device control cam 157 then engages the plunger of the switch 154 and closes the switch to energize the coil of valve assembly 213 so compressed air flows from conduit 220, through the valve assembly 213, through the conduits 222, 226, 226:1 to the inner ends of the cylinders 191, 191zz thereby imparting outward movement to the piston rods 186, 18611 and the clamping jaws 185, 185e. Of course, as the upper clamping jaws 185, 185@ move apart from each other, the stack of drop-wires thereon falls against the then closed lower stacking rod clamping jaws 185b, 185C. The lobe 160 of cam 157 then moves out of engagement with the plunger of the switch 154 thereby permitting the switch 154 to open to again de-energize the coil of the valve assembly 213. As heretofore stated, this reverses the flow of compressed air through the cylinders 191, 191a of the upper stacking rod clamping devices 180, 180a and returns the upper clamping jaws 185, 185a to clamping position.

The lobe 160 on the lower clamping device control cam 158 then moves into engagement with the plunger of the switch 155 and closes the same to energize the coil of the valve assembly 214 thereby causing compressed air to flow from the conduit 221, through the valve assembly and throughthe conduits 223, 226b, 226e into the inner ends of the cylinders l191b, 191C of the lower clamping devices 180b',i180c. This moves the lower clamping jaws 18512, 185C apart from each other thereby permitting the stack of drop-wires thereon to fall against the transverse frame member`165 and the clamping block 166 or upon any previously positioned drop-wires on the lower portion of stacking rod 30.

It should be noted that the dwell of the lobe 160 on the clutch control cam 156 is substantially greater than the dwell of the lobes 160 on the two cams 157, 158 so the switch 153 is maintained open throughout movement of the lobes 160 of the two cams 157, 158 past the switches 154, 155. After the stack of drop-wires has been released from the lower clamping jaws, 1851), 185C, the lobe 160 of the lower clamping device control cam 158 moves out of engagement with the plunger of switch 155, thus opening the switch 155 and breaking the circuit to the coil of the valve assembly 214.

As heretofore stated, the direction of flow of compressed air through the cylinders 191b, 191C is then reversed to again move the lower clamping jaws 185b, 185e into clamping position or closed position. Thereafter the lobe of the clutch control cam 156 moves out of engagement with the plunger of switch 153, thereby permitting switch 153 t0 close and again energize the clutch mechanism 122 to complete a cycle in the operation of the machine.

Upon a sufiicient number of cycles of the machine being effected, in the manner heretofore described, to stack a desired number of drop-wires on the stacking rod 36, the switch 204 is manipulated to move the switch contact bar a to open position and to move the` contact bars b, c, to closed position to de-energize the clutch mechanism 122 and stop the crank shaft 110 while energizing the coils of the electrically operable valve assemblies 213, 214 and to thereby cause both sets of clamping jaws 185, a, and 185b, 185e to open.

The wing nuts 171 are then loosened, the clamping block 166 raised out of engagement therewith and the stacking rod 30 is then removed from the machine with the primary and secondary drop-wires stacked thereon in alternation preparatory to being fed to the Warp drawing machine.

f An empty stacking rod 30 is then positioned in the machine, whereupon the switch 204is again manipulated to move the switch elements or bus bars b, c to open position as the busV bar a is moved to closed position. It should be noted that the switch 153 and the bus bar a of switch 204 are arranged in series and the switches 154, 155 are arranged in parallel with the respective bus bars b, c of switch 204.

It is thus seen that I have provided a machine having a pair of magazines, one of which is adapted to support a stack of drop-wires whose key slots extend in one direction and the other of which is adapted to support a stack of drop-wires whose key slots extend in the other direction and wherein means are provided for alternately transferring the drop-Wires from the two magazines onto a stacking rod automatically and, also, wherein means are provided for clampingly supporting the upper portion of the stacking rod to maintain it in rigid relationship to the feeding or transferring devices, with means for automatically releasing the upper portion of the stacking rod at predetermined intervals to permit the drop-wires to move down the stacking rod to a point adjacent the lower end thereof.

It is contemplated that a magazine may be positioned between the two stacks of drop-Wires in lieu of the stacking rod 30 onwhich the drop-wires may be received in alternation without departing from the spirit of the inventon.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, al-

i3 though specific terms are employed,` they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims. f

I claim: y

1. Apparatus for positioning primary and secondary drop-wires on a stacking rod and wherein each drop-wire is provided with a hole for receiving said rod; said apparatus comprising a substantially horizontally disposed platform and having a transverse slot in a medial portion thereof, spaced primary and secondary feeding devices mounted for unitary movement in said slot, first and second spaced means for supporting stacks of respective primary and secondary drop-wires on said platform so the drop-wires span said slot and are disposed above the respective paths of travel of said primary and secondary feeding devices, proximal ends rof the primary and secondary feeding devices being alternately movable inwardly to a predetermined position substantially midway between the first and second supporting means with respective active strokes thereof, the inner portion of each feeding device having a shoulder forming a recessed seat thereon, means supporting said stacking rod with its upper end disposed at said predetermined position and on a level substantially the same as the level of said shoulders, the upper end of said stacking rod also being positioned in alinement with an imaginary line connecting the holes in the primary drop-wires in the first means with the holes in the secondary drop-wires in the second means, said shoulders projecting above the level of said platform sufficiently to engage the lowermost drop-wire of the corresponding first and second spaced drop-wire supporting means in the course of active strokes of the primary and secondary feeding devices to thereby alternately transfer drop-wires one at a time from said first and second spaced supporting means to said stacking rod whereby, upon each inactive stroke of each of the feeding devices, the dropwire remains impaled on said stacking rod.

2. A structure according to claim l including means for applying downward pressure to each successive dropwire in the course of their movement from the corresponding first and second spaced supporting means to said predetermined position.

3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting the stacking rod in substantially vertical position comprises a support spaced substantially below said platform and on which the lower end of said stacking rod is positioned, a first pair of relatively movable clamping jaws spaced substantially below said platform and normally clamping a medial portion of the stacking rod for supporting the drop-wires as they fall in engagement with the upper portion of the stacking rod, a second pair of normally closed clamping jaws normally engaging the stacking rod and being spaced substantially below the first pair of clamping jaws and substantially above said support, means automatically operable upon a predetermined number of strokes of said feeding devices for opening and then closing the first pair of clamping jaws to permit the drop-wires stacked thereon to fall against the second set of clamping jaws, and means operable automatically following the closing of the first pair of clamping jaws for momentarily opening the second pair of clamping jaws to permit the sta-ck of drop-wires to fall While in engagement with the stacking rod against said support or against any drop-wires previously stacked on the lower portion of the stacking rod.

4. A structure according to claim 3 having means to momentarily stop movement of said feeding devices during the successive opening and closing operations of said first and second pairs of clamping jaws.

5. Apparatus for stacking primary and secondary substantially fiat articles on a rod and wherein each article is provided with a hole for receiving said rod, said apparatus comprising a substantially horizontally disposed platform and having a transverse slot in a medial portion v14 thereof, spaced first and second feeding devices mounted for unitary movement in said slot, first and second spaced means for supporting stacks of respective primary and secondary articles on said platform and so the articles span said slot and are disposed above the respective paths of travel of said first and second feeding devices, the proximal ends of the rst and second feeding devices being alternately movable inwardly to a predetermined position between said first and second supporting means with respective active strokes thereof, each feeding device having a shoulder thereon projecting above the level of the platform a distance less than the thickness of each article for engaging only the lowermost article in each stack in the course of active strokes of the corresponding feeding devices, means supporting a stacking rod with its upper end disposed at said predetermined position and on a level substantially the same as the level of said shoulders, and the upper end of said rod also being positioned in alinement with an imaginary line connecting the holes in the primary articles in the first means with the holes in the secondary articles in the second means whereby said shoulders engage the lowermost articles in the corresponding first andy second spaced article supporting means in the course of active strokes of the first and second feeding devices to thereby alternately transfer articles one at a time from the first and second spaced ksupporting means to the rod and whereby, upon each inactive stroke of each of the feeding devices, the article remains impaled on the rod.

6. A structure according to claim 5 including means for applying downward pressure to each successive article in the course of their movement from the corresponding first and second spaced supporting means to said predetermined position.

7. Apparatus for stacking primary and secondary dropwires in alternation, wherein each drop-wire is provided with a hole therein, comprising a primary magazine for upporting a stack of primary drop-wires, a secondary magazine for supporting a stack of secondary dropwires, a stacking rod, means supporting said stacking rod in substantially vertical position with its upper end terminating adjacent the magazines, means for alternately transferring primary and secondary drop-wires, one at a time, from said respective primary and secondary magazines onto said stacking rod whereby said stacking rod is received in the hole of each of the drop-wires, said means for supporting the stacking rod in substantially vertical position comprising a first support spaced substantially below said magazines and on which the lower end of said stacking rod is positioned, a first pair of relatively movable clamping jaws spaced substantially below said magazines and normally clamping a medial portion of the stacking rod for supporting the drop-wires as they fall in engagement with the upper portion of the stacking rod, a second pair `of normally closed clamping jaws normally engaging the stacking rod and being spaced substantially below the first pair of clamping jaws and substantially above said first support, means automatically operable upon a predetermined number of strokes of said transferring means for opening and then closing the rst pair of clamping jaws to permit the drop-wires stacked thereon to fall against the second set of clamping jaws, and means operable automatically following the closing of the first pair of clamping jaws for momentarily opening the second pair of clamping jaws to permit the stack of drop-wires to fall while in engagement with the stacking rod against said first support or against any drop-wires previously stacked on the lower portion of the stacking rod.

8. A structure according to claim 7 having means to momentarily stop movement of said transferring means during the successive opening and closing yoperations of said first and second pairs of clamping jaws.

9. Apparatus for positioning primary and secondary drop-Wires on a stacking rod and wherein each drop-wire is provided with a hole for receiving said rod; said ap- 15 paratus comprising a substantially `horizontally, disposed platform and having a transverse slot in a medial portion thereof, spaced primary and secondary feeding devices mounted for movement in said slot, means to move the feeding devices inwardly and outwardly in alternation, trst and second spaced means for supporting stacks` of respective primary and secondary drop-wires on said platform so the drop-wires span said slot and are disposed above the respective paths of travel of said primary and secondary feeding devices, proximal ends of the primary and secondary feeding devices being alternately movable inwardly to a predetermined position substantially midway between the first and second supporting means with respective active strokes thereof, the inner portion of each feeding device having a shoulder forming a recessed seat thereon, means supporting said stacking rod with its upper end disposed at said predetermined position and on a level substantially the same as the level of saidshoulders, the upper end of said stacking rod also being positioned in alinement with an imaginary line connecting the holes in the primary drop-wires in the rst means with the holes in the secondary drop-wires in the second means, said shoulder projecting above the level of said platform sufciently to engage the lowermost dropgwire of the corresponding first and second spaced drop-wire supporting means in the course of active strokes of the primary and secondary feeding devices to thereby alternately Vtransfer drop-wires one at a time from said first and second spaced supportingmeans to said stacking rod whereby, upon each inactive stroke of each of the feeding devices, the drop-wire remains impaled on said stacking rod.

l0. Astructure according to claim 9 wherein said shoulders each extends at substantially right angles to the path of travel of its corresponding feeding device, and said supporting means being positioned so the dropwires therein extend at a relatively slight angle to the path of travel of said feeding devices whereby each successive lowermost drop-wire initially tends to move in a circular path when transferred from the corresponding stack by the corresponding shoulder.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,350,273 Decker May 30, 1944 

